17 observations about PRAXIS as we plan the sixth edition

PRAXIS was born out of a passion for enhancing the reputation of the profession.

It is meant to be an annual gathering of communications professionals to share with and inspire each other.

At the heart of the event is fairness with speakers and potential speakers and transparency with partners.

The experience had to be unique for repeat attendees – therefore we do not repeat a venue, a band or a speaker. When we run out of these we may reconsider.

It costs a lot of money to put this together and we entertain requests from our partners for rooms at the venues on priority but no other preferential treatment during the summit.

We make it affordable so that a 25-year-old earning Rs 25,000 a month can attend at least once in three years. If one plans well he or she has to only spend Rs 6000/- to attend and another Rs 4000/- to stay.

There is a deliberate attempt to rotate the zones between North, South and West.

We have had over 100 speakers in the last five editions and we have only paid speaking fee twice and these were authors of books who were not in full time jobs.

Most partners pay sponsorship money directly to vendors and almost half of the sponsorship investment is returned to them as a registration or accommodation fee.

The content is of paramount importance and we take pains to get it right.

It is one of the most economical platforms for sponsors to invest in where a brand can get partner status for as low as $2500.

It is probably the only event of its kind largely driven by volunteers and has been a not-for-profit venture in its five editions

The success of PRAXIS led to the birth of India’s first print magazine for communicators as well as the first awards where there is a separation of sponsor, jury and participants.

We take pride in being the only event for PR in India where a speaker has never been repeated (except twice) because we accidentally made a commitment.

Each time we complete an edition we work harder for the next and compete with ourselves and no one else to do better.

Every edition of PRAXIS has trended on Twitter nationally within minutes of the opening remarks.

Except for one brand all partners have sponsored the event year on year.